处于…（阶段／状态）
to be at (a stage); to be in (a state)
Structure
主语 处于 修饰语 ＋ 阶段／状态／时期／水平
What it means
A written verb for where something stands in a process or what condition it is in: “to be at (a stage); to be in (a state)”.
How it is built
Subject + 处于 + modifier + 阶段/状态/时期/水平/地位: 病人目前处于稳定状态 (The patient is now in a stable condition). 处 is chǔ here, not chù.
When to use it
Formal and written: 处于早期, 处于领先地位, 处于较低水平. In speech 还在早期 or 现在挺稳定 is enough.
Watch out
The object is an abstract noun phrase, usually ending in 阶段, 状态, 时期, 水平 or 地位. For a plain geographical location, 位于 or 地处 is the usual choice: 武汉位于长江中游.
Examples
好在发现时肿瘤还处于早期，没有转移。
Fortunately, when it was found the tumour was still at an early stage and had not spread.
经过两天的治疗，病人目前处于稳定状态。
After two days of treatment the patient is now in a stable condition.
这个行业正处于转型的关键时期，很多公司都在寻找新的出路。
The industry is at a critical point in its transformation, and many companies are looking for a new way forward.
Learn this in Lesson 156 · HSK 7–9: 与癌共存 (Living with cancer)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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